Saber Rattling: Finn

Last time we talked about Kylo Ren and what his actions in the two duels we see tell us about him. This time, it’s the turn of Finn. On the other side of both the fight and the Force, Finn appears to be an anomaly. He’s pretty good with a weapon he’s never used before and holds his own against the most terrifying warrior The First Order has with relative ease.

But there’s more to him than you might think as you’ll see.

VAST SPOILERS AWAIT YOU BENEATH THIS IMAGE OF THE RESISTANCE’S VERY OWN BIG DEAL

Finn is a child soldier. He’s known nothing other than white armour and killing from a young age and it makes sense he’s trained in every weapon he possibly can be. Also, his earlier fight with the Riot Control Trooper suggests very strongly that the First Order train their soldiers in Jedi counter measures. The Trooper’s weapon resists multiple strikes from Finn’s saber, implying the First Order are trained and ready to beat lightsaber wielders in close combat.

The wide spectrum of training that suggests is one of the two reasons Finn holds his own, barely, against Kylo Ren. The other is simple; he’s not already wounded when the fight begins. Those are his only advantages and they’re worn down by Ren’s experience and Finn’s clear terror. Even Finn’s success in wounding Ren works against him. That’s why Kylo Ren walks out of the fight and Finn has to be carried.

Next time, Rey and what the duel tells us about her, Ren and their different approaches to The Force.